Saints score grant for training centre
Having briefly experienced a top-class AFL training centre, St Kilda co-captain Nick Riewoldt is impatient for his club to have one for a home.
The Victorian government has confirmed it would contribute $3.45 million to the Saints' multi-million dollar facility at Frankston Park, in Melbourne's outer south.
St Kilda decided late last year that they would relocate their training facilities to Frankston.
They decided to move from their long-time Moorabbin home late last year after a bitter falling out with the local council.
The centre is scheduled to be in operation by 2010 and could incorporate the new grandstand at Frankston Park, after the old stand was destroyed by fire last month.
"Even the opportunity a few years ago to train at the Lexus Centre (in Melbourne) with the international team, that was a real eye-opener just with respects to how far behind the eight-ball we are in terms of facilities," Riewoldt said.
For most, if not all, St Kilda's players, the move to Frankston will mean extra travel.
But Riewoldt said the lure of a top-class facility meant they were "very excited" about the plan.
"Just the opportunity to come up to par or be further in front with respect to facilities, it does play a big part," he said.
"The opportunity to spend more time at the club, I think that will be the case.
"I'm not sure whether most of the guys will relocate, but the facilities will be that good that it will be a pleasure to be around.
"The boys are very excited about it."
The current budget for the new centre is $10.25 million, but Saints chief executive Archie Fraser said that could change.
He said the Saints' current contribution of $1.25 million could rise to about $3 million to meet possible added costs.
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